The BRICS have supported multilateralism and condemned wars, sanctions and tariffs

thedeveloping countries that join the BRICS Group held a summit in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday at which the final declaration they have agreed makes a firm defence of multilateralism while condemning wars, sanctions and tariffs used as a political instrument .

The signatories express their "concern about the current conflict in various parts of the world and the situation of polarization and division of the international order" and propose in response "a multilateral approach that respects different national views and positions on crucial global issues".

"We call on the international community to respond to these challenges and the consequent security threats with political-diplomatic measures aimed at reducing the potential of conflicts  and emphasize the need to prevent conflicts by addressing the deepest causes of conflicts," the official text continues.

The document, entitled 'Rio de Janeiro Declaration', refers to the 5% increase inGDP for military spending recently announced by NATO, but the text makes no mention of the US. 

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has openly criticized this measure in his opening address to the summit:

The final document mentions US attacks on Iran in June and condemns attacks on "peaceful nuclear facilities," but does not mention Washington.

"In this context, we reiterate our support for diplomatic initiatives to address regional challenges and urge the UN Security Council to address this issue," BRICS leaders have proposed.

Withregard to the Israeli offensive in Gaza, they have condemned "all violations of international humanitarian law" and the use of hunger as a method of war.

"We invite the parties to participate in the new negotiations in good faith, an immediate, permanent and unconditional ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of all Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip and other occupied Palestinian territories, the release of all those abducted or detained against Inter-National Law  and the provision of humanitarian aid to the needy," he continues.

Economics and Punishments

In the economic sphere, the communiqué mentions the New Development Bank , informally known as the BRICS Bank, "a strong and strategic player for the development and modernization of the global south", and proposes a new payment system at the international level.

Highlights on unagreed economic points, such as the creation of a single currency or the cessation of the dollar as a benchmark for international trade. US President Donald Trump warned in January that he would impose a 100% tariff on those who accept that proposal.

With regard to sanctions particularly affecting Iran or Russia, the BRICS condemn "the imposition of unilateral coercive measures contrary to international law" with "negative consequences." No one in the group "imposes or protects sanctions unless authorized by the UN Security Council."

The text calls for multilateral management of regulation on artificial intelligenceand climate change, with funding measures for poor countries and incentives to control greenhouse gas emissions. However, the document states that "fossil fuels still play an important role in the global energy matrix, particularly in emerging markets and developing economies."

"We affirm that cooperation between and through BRICS is essential to advance a global effort towards a sustainable future and a transition that is fair and equitable for all," they stress.

UN Security Council reform

" We reiterate our support for comprehensive reform of the United Nations, including the Security Council, to make it more democratic, representative, effective and efficient, "says the document.

Since April, the knots on this issue came from the meeting of the group's foreign ministers, when Russiaand China, the only countries with permanent seats on the Security Council from the BRICS, had put the issue on the table.

The two powers then called for Braziland Indiato play a more prominent role in global and UN decisions, particularly in the Security Council, but did not include South Africa in that request because of the divergences expressed by Egypt and Ethiopia, which, while advocating a common position on the reform of the Security Council, reject the preferential treatment of the only African countries that require fairer representation.

At the beginning of the summit, Lula da Silva spoke out in favour of the reform of the UN and the Security Council. He warned that continuing to postpone the issue contributes to global instability and leaves the world "more unstable and dangerous." 

According to the President, maintaining an "archaic and exclusionary" mechanism prevents dealing with serious crises affecting humanity.

In the same vein, India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has said that the world needs a "new multipolar and inclusive order, "which must begin with" comprehensive reforms in global institutions. "

The difficulties in reaching agreement with the BRICS on the reform of the UN's main mechanism have highlighted the different socio-political and economic realities within the forum, an issue that became even more complex with the expansion of the group.

The group was founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China, then South Africa, and since last year it has six new members: Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.